TOPICS: cost of flights to regional centres, Productivity Commission inquiry, access to healthcare, state reimbursement scheme, flight delays and cancellations, impact on visiting specialist appointments, Qantas performance, flight capacities, i

Reports this morning indicate the Home Affairs Minister is backtracking on his backpacker cuts, after The Nationals led the outcry when Labor made draconian cuts on the cusp of the hay baling season and harvest.

The Nationals have committed that an elected Victorian Liberal and Nationals Government will spend up to $100 million towards replacing the bridge. No other party running in Murray Plains is offering that commitment.

TOPICS: private health insurance rebate cuts, aged care, COP31 climate talks, renewable energy transition

And after a meaningful minute, as we have done today, after a silent remembrance at the 11th hour, with three words, we sustain the soul of our nation, we strengthen our national spirit. “Lest we forget”.

Opposition regional communications spokeswoman Anne Webster suggested parliament should beef up protections for rights holders. Anthony Albanese initially promised the "strongest possible protection" for artists.

Here in Sunraysia, I have fought for years for a proper Mildura heavy vehicle bypass. At the last federal election, I secured a Coalition commitment of $5 million for the business case to finally start getting heavy vehicles out of Mildura’s CBD

"Jim Chalmers is asking Treasury to cure Australia's productivity crisis, but has ruled out treating the underlying disease. It's political malpractice dressed up as economic management." Dr Webster said.

TOPICS: RBA rate hike, impact on families and small business, future heavy vehicle bypass for Mildura, aged care deaths waiting for care, ministerial accountability, next federal election, preferred prime minister polling